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{March is well under way}

February days are now gone and March has officially kicked in.   I finally purchased a new monthly focus board.  We ventured out for a day date which included a movie. I love our day dates. I will give my honest review about the movie for those interested. I wanted to see this movie as it was based on a true story. I did enjoy the movie but oh my, it was a tear jerker from the get go! It ended good but mercy! Let's just say that I am thankful that no one was sitting close enough to see my tear stained face. I am glad that I saw it but I am good for a while on sad movies, even if they do end good!   My oldest daughter, her husband and their son participated in the Spartan race which is a series of obstacle courses that challenge. They done so well. As you can see from the pictures it gets pretty muddy!  My three daughters participate each year in the Gate River Run. I love it that they do this together. They have so much support & encouragement from all the onlookers. I am just

{Sand Paper People}

I wish I could see your facial expression as you read the words {Sand Paper People}. I got a feeling you may have a few of those in your life from time to time. Sand Paper people are those that tend to {RUB} us the wrong way. Sometimes we just can't put our finger on exactly what the issue is and other times we know all too well why they tend to cause the hair on the back of our neck to stand up! 
Years ago I had the opportunity to be a part of a ladies retreat where Mary Southerland spoke. If you aren't familiar with her I recommend that you purchase her book called....YOU GUESSED IT..."Sandpaper people".  It is an eye opener and gets right down to the nitty-gritty of the subject at hand. It is filled with so much truth and lavished with the Word of God. She tells this story and it goes like this: 
  The artist came to the park every day when the light was just right, positioning his
easel and paints under the same familiar shade tree. For hours, he watched people
strolling by, searching for just the right face to paint. A beggar sitting across the path
caught his eye. Thinking of God’s handiwork in every human being, the artist resolved
to paint the man as he imagined he could be. With the last stroke, the artist breathed a
sigh of satisfaction. It was done. And it was some of his best work. The artist then
called the beggar over to see the painting. “Is that me?’ the beggar asked. “That is the
“you” I see!” replied the artist. The beggar stared at the painting, and with tears in his
eyes, softly spoke, “If that’s the man you see in me, then that’s the man I shall be!” 
Sandpaper people desperately need someone who will look beyond their abrasive
behavior to recognize their worth. Sandpaper people have allowed someone or
something to assign an identity to them that is false. As a result, they live a life they
were never intended to live, bound to an un-healthy-self-image, having no concept of who they really are or what they can become. Desperate to fit in, they try on different identities like trying on new clothes, wondering why none of them fit. Sandpaper people fail to understand that their identity was established before the world began, in the
heart and mind of God. That’s where we come in. When we make the deliberate choice to love a sandpaper person, we are inviting God
to work in us and through us to bring about change; to create His image in us so we can
then see His image in others. Difficult
relationships find it hard to survive in an
atmosphere of love because stubborn wills yield to love as the worth of a soul is
recognized and valued. 
Choose love
Web Image
Choose patience

Web Image
Choose forgiveness
 Web image

Choose encouragement 
Web image 
Choose Thankfulness 



Web image
The key WORD here is {CHOOSE}. We choose how we will react and how we will deal with the sandpaper people of life. And I can assure you that there will be those sandpaper people that come along. Who knows...we might be that sandpaper person to someone!!! May we be willing to love beyond the beyond.
Hugs and blessings, Cindy 

Comments

  1. Great words of wisdom, my Friend. Happy Wednesday to you!

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  2. Hi, Cindy:
    I've never read her book, but always read Mary's devotionals that I get emailed. She's a gem and so are you for sharing this encouraging message!

    Love,
    Mary

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  3. Thanks Cindy for the post today. I surely needed this one.
    Connie Royals

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  4. Never heard of the term so I learned something today, Cindy. Thanks. And what a nice way of handling them! Thank you so much for your visit on my Childhood Cancer awareness post and your continued prayers for Rea.....Christine

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  5. These are all great words of wisdom! Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Great post and very thought provoking!! Thanks so much for stopping by, Cindy! Even though i am really looking forward to Fall and it is September, it is in the 90's here so there are no signs of Fall here yet!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  7. Hi Cindy, this is so good and yes I think we all have encountered a sandpaper person in our life. Your wisdom on handing them is very wise. Thank you for sharing and always bringing light to the word. in your posts.
    Blessings and Happy September! cm

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  8. Beautiful post, Cindy, and I love the images and Scripture verses. :) Very inspiring.

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  9. I like the story far better than the reality of dealing with sandpaper people. I consider entire groups of people "sandpaper people." And I am equally certain that I have been that sandpaper person more than a few times. Let's not ask John. =D Thank you for the book recommendation and those beautiful graphics. Did you create them? (I'd love to pin one.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL. I know what you mean Vee. I did not create the images. I gave the credit to Web image. Wish I had the time to create them! LOL!

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  10. Cindy,
    Thinking of you today and wishing you a safe and happy weekend with your beautiful family.
    You know you have a gift of sharing God's lessons, and I thank you for blessing me with the goodness of your heart and spirit.
    Warm Hugs,
    jemma

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  11. I know exactly what you mean about sand paper people! And a few came to mind as I read. God has to work in me all the time so I won't react the way my human nature wants to.
    ~Adrienne~

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  12. Your posts never leave me empty, I am always inspired and blessed.

    With love my friend,

    Debbie

    ReplyDelete

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So glad you stopped by to visit.
Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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